Result of Service
EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND TIMELINES / RESULT OF SERVICE • Creative industries value chain rapid assessment report – within 2 weeks of contract signature • Prioritized assessment of MSME value capture opportunities – within 3 weeks of contract signature • Strategic recommendations for interventions and partner mapping – within 6 weeks of contract signature • Final report and presentation summarizing findings, opportunities, and proposed next steps for ITC engagement – within 7 weeks of contract signature
Expected duration
2 months part-time
Duties and Responsibilities
BACKGROUND:. Established in 1964, the International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint technical cooperation agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization (WTO) in charge of the sustainable promotion of trade and in particular of exports from developing countries and economies in transition. The goal of the ITC is to make businesses in developing countries more competitive in global markets, accelerate economic development and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Thus, the organization contributes to the creation of jobs at the level of segments of agricultural value chains and promising services, especially for young people and women. ITC is looking for the services of a Creative Industries Advisor to support the development of an institutional strategy for this sector. This post is located within the Women, Youth and Vulnerable Communities (WYVC) section in the Division of Sustainable and Inclusive Trade (DSIT). DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES Under the overall supervision of the Chief, DSIT/WYVC and the direct supervision of the Head, Youth and Trade Programme, the consultant will carry out the following duties: • Conduct a rapid assessment of creative industry sectors and their trade potential for MSMEs, including existing market structures, actors, and value chains. • Analyze opportunities for value capture by MSMEs across different stages of creative industry value chains, including production, commercialization, access to finance, distribution, export, licensing, and digital trade. • Assess regional and international market opportunities for creative goods and services, with particular attention to emerging trends, digital platforms, and innovative business models. • Identify constraints, gaps, and bottlenecks that limit MSME participation, competitiveness, and value capture within the creative economy. • Map existing ecosystem support structures, policies, initiatives, and partnerships relevant to creative industries and MSME trade development. • Develop a framework for prioritizing sectors and opportunities based on criteria such as market potential, inclusiveness, scalability, feasibility, and alignment with ITC objectives. • Identify strategic interventions, partnership opportunities, and programmatic entry points through which ITC can support increased value capture and trade competitiveness among creative MSMEs. • Prepare analytical reports, presentations, and recommendations that translate research findings into actionable guidance for ITC programming and future project development. • Present preliminary and final findings to ITC and relevant stakeholders, incorporating feedback into final recommendations and deliverables. • Ensure that all analyses and recommendations integrate cross-cutting considerations such as youth economic empowerment, women's economic participation, digitalization, sustainability, and inclusive trade where relevant. The Consultant is obliged to provide full access to ITC external and internal auditors to documents and information. In addition, the contractor shall comply with any audit undertaken in line with the financial regulations and rules of the United Nations. Copyright Clause: The consultant has to ensure that she has obtained the necessary permissions with regard to intellectual property rights required to perform her services under this consultancy contract and for the subsequent dissemination by ITC in any form. Documentary proof is to be submitted to ITC. Should any license fee be due for the use of copyrighted materials of third parties, the consultant shall request the prior written permission from ITC. ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion, gender equality and gender parity and considers all qualified persons - of all genders - equally, including those with disabilities, without discrimination or prejudice of any kind.
Qualifications/special skills
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, international trade, international business, development studies, creative industries, cultural economics, business/management, or a related field. Extensive relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a university degree. • Work experience: • At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following areas: o creative industries / creative economy; o international trade and export development; o MSME development and competitiveness; o value chain analysis and market systems development; o digital trade and creative digital platforms; o cultural or creative entrepreneurship. • Demonstrated experience conducting sector, market, ecosystem, or value-chain assessments, preferably involving MSMEs. • Demonstrated experience analysing value capture and upgrading opportunities for MSMEs, including opportunities related to: o production and commercialization; o branding and marketing; o distribution; o export; o licensing and intellectual property; o digital platforms and e-commerce; o access to finance. • Experience working with creative-sector businesses or organisations in at least some of the following sectors: film and audiovisual, music, publishing, fashion, design, crafts, performing arts, visual arts, gaming, animation, advertising, or digital creative services. • Demonstrated knowledge of regional and international markets, including identifying demand, market trends, buyers, distribution channels, digital platforms, and emerging business models. • Experience mapping creative industry ecosystems, including private-sector actors, business support organisations, investors, government institutions, industry associations, platforms, and other relevant stakeholders. • Experience developing practical recommendations for donor-funded programmes or international development interventions, rather than purely academic or research-oriented studies. • Experience working in developing or emerging markets, particularly in Africa and/or other contexts where creative MSMEs face structural constraints to accessing regional and international markets, would be highly desirable.
Languages
Advanced knowledge of English is required.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
